Posted May 28, 2024

Maintaining credentials to work as a Registered Nurse requires Continuing Education. This year, I chose a module that included a course that identifies “labels” for what often happens not just to nurses but can be the experience of anyone working closely with people. The course was a look at “Burnout vs Compassion Fatigue." Coincidentally, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This brings thoughts or images of people with behavioral problems, issues with coping, diagnoses of depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorders. This is also a time to assure that “you” yourself are “okay” and in a good place mentally.

The term “burnout” is a catch-all term to express when you “can’t do any more”; when you have given all you have to give. We often put the blame for “burnout” on stressors in the environment (workplace; ongoing committees; and obligations to organizations). You may find you are not as productive as before, no longer at your best. Burnout is defined as a state of exhaustion that causes poor motivation and a lack of interest in work. Verywellmind.com, “Living Well” (April 16, 2023) discusses “Compassion Fatigue” as the toll of caring too much. Compassion fatigue is a specific type of burnout, caused by prolonged exposure to tother people’s emotional stress and ongoing needs. Compassion fatigue can happen to anyone.  

Scriptures tell us to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2)...So, as God’s own chosen people, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12). Many of us come from families where “hospitality” is #1. We were taught to live by the Golden Rule – treat everyone as you would want to be treated. Helping, sharing, comforting, showing compassion beyond simply being polite, were commendable behaviors. 

“If you are the family member, co-worker or friend everyone turns to for guidance and support, Compassion fatigue can lead to emotional, psychological and physical exhaustion.” (Dr. Shakira Espada-Campos, MDLIVE Associate Chief of Behavioral Health). When there seems to be no relief from supporting and caring for others who are suffering, it can rob you of your empathy for others. For the Christian believer, this may leave you feeling that you have failed; you may feel a sense of guilt, which in turn intensifies "compassion fatigue". You may “shut down”, shut everyone out, as a means of self-preservation. Burnout and Compassion Fatigue are very real. How do we keep a maintain a healthy mentality against one or the other? The answer is, Rest.

Pastor Toure Roberts discusses in his teaching “It’s Hard to be You” our rights as citizens of a heavenly Kingdom. He tells us, in an earthly kingdom with an earthly king, the People fight for the kingdom. In a heavenly Kingdom, the King fights for the people. The King serves the servants. Pastor Roberts’ point is, God is a servant at heart! His Grace serves us. That’s why Jesus came into the world, on our behalf. Jesus “emptied” himself of His glory, came to earth, and took on the form of a servant, a man, (Philippians 2:7). He did this so He could touch us, to redeem us, to walk in the places that we would walk. He did this so we would believe, no matter how crazy things get in the world, He’s been there! That’s good news!

Jesus is our way of escape when our strength and our compassion is fading. Showing love and compassion for each other should never lead to losing our Joy – that is a trick of the enemy. When our love walk becomes hard, Jesus tells us to give All our cares to Him - “lay aside every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us.” Jesus cares for us. There is rest in Jesus and His finished work. We have access to our Big Brother, our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is still the Servant King. Our resources, our bodies, our minds, our spirit can only handle so much, but Jesus is our Divine help! He is still full of Grace; He still has All power.

Jesus is our Shepherd, the One who keeps us. He is our Endless supply of peace and strength. He created us to need Him! He is here to serve us: “Turn your burdens over to the LORD, and he will take care of you” (Psalm 55:22 GWT); “You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon him, for you are His personal concern”.(1 Peter 5:7, Phillips).Jesus was about “doing good, healing all who were oppressed of the devil, for God was with him” Acts 10:38.” But even Jesus, as the Son of man, needed rest. Jesus slept on a boat during a storm because He needed rest (Matthew 8:24). When He needed time to be alone, Jesus moved away from crowds (Luke 4:42; Mark 6:45-46; Mark 1:35-37). We too cannot neglect our well-being, our mental health. We need rest. To be healthy mentally requires a “resting place”. That resting place is Jesus.  

We are created to love and show compassion. We are also created to receive love and compassion. When there is not a balance, when we "give" until we can’t give anymore, or when we feel unloved and misunderstood, where do we turn, how do we cope? Matthew 11:28 says “Come unto me when you are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Jesus is bigger and stronger than anything we could ever face. Rely on His strength and not your own. If you are feeling overwhelmed, put it in His hands. Let Jesus deal with your worries, your anxieties, your doubts, your fatigue, your burnout!